SIM & Internet on Arrival
প্রথম দিনেই ডেটা চালু
How to get a Bangladeshi SIM or eSIM as a visiting probashi: airport counters, biometric registration, tourist packages, top-up codes and what works when you land without one.
Buying a SIM at the airport
The arrivals hall at HSIA has counters of the major operators — Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Airtel. Bring your passport and visa or NVR page: every SIM in Bangladesh is registered biometrically with a thumb impression, a rule that applies to visitors too. The process takes about ten minutes.
Ask for a tourist or prepaid package rather than the first SIM the counter suggests — packages are bundled with data and minutes for a fixed price, and airport counters usually activate them on the spot. Check the data balance with the operator’s USSD code before you leave the counter.
eSIM and roaming alternatives
Local operators offer eSIM for compatible phones, and international travel eSIMs cover Bangladesh as well. A digital eSIM bought before departure can connect as soon as you land — a good backup, though local physical SIMs still win on price and minutes.
Foreign roaming works but is priced for emergencies, not for a month at home. Hotel Wi-Fi helps in the room, but ride-hailing, bKash payments and maps all need mobile data — treat the SIM purchase as part of the arrival routine.
Top-ups, payments and day-to-day use
Recharge at any roadside shop, operator app or with scratch cards; USSD codes check balance and buy packages — note them down from the wrapper. Tourist packages typically cost a few hundred taka for a month of heavy data.
bKash and Nagad wallets need local verification that short-term visitors usually skip — carry cash and a card instead. City shops increasingly take cards and QR payments, but the tea stall never will.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep the same SIM on every trip?
Yes — top up before you leave so the number stays active; operators keep prepaid numbers alive for a grace period after the balance runs out. A number you keep is also handy for family bKash references.
Do I need an unlocked phone?
Yes, a SIM-local phone is required for local SIMs — carrier-locked phones from abroad will reject them. eSIM-only phones can use operator eSIMs or travel eSIMs instead.
Is mobile internet fast enough for video calls?
In Dhaka, Chattogram and other cities 4G is reliable for video calls; village connections vary with tower load. Evening hours are the busiest, so schedule important calls for the morning.